HJ586: Celebrating the life of Freda Jenay Tate.
WHEREAS, Freda Jenay Tate of Norton, a passionate journalist and trailblazing news executive who served as the longtime editor and publisher of The Coalfield Progress, died on January 15, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Jenay Tate was a graduate of John I. Burton High School and continued her education at the University of Kentucky; she spent most of her career as a newspaper writer and editor in the coalfields region, working at her family’s newspapers, The Post in Big Stone Gap, the Dickenson Star in Clintwood, and primarily and most notably, The Coalfield Progress in Norton; and
WHEREAS, during Jenay Tate’s 40-year tenure with the newspaper, The Coalfield Progress earned countless awards and accolades for writing, design, and photography, and it was consistently selected as one of the top newspapers of its size in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Jenay Tate was highly respected in the newspaper industry and held numerous leadership roles in the Virginia Press Association; she helped plan award conferences and judged countless writing and photography competitions; and
WHEREAS, Jenay Tate was a passionate advocate for her fellow residents of the coalfields region and worked to preserve the history and heritage of the region by writing extensively about the coal industry, including coal camps and the critical importance of coal to the local economy; and
WHEREAS, outside of her career, Jenay Tate helped establish the Best Friend Festival in Norton and served as its chair for many years; she was well known for her artistic talents, passion for gardening, and love of cooking good food; her kindness and generosity were exemplified through the many stray cats she cared for and adopted over the years; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by her parents, Carroll and Robbie, and her brother, Michael, all of whom worked with her in the family newspaper business; Jenay Tate will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her sister, Carol; many beloved nieces and nephews; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Freda Jenay Tate; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Freda Jenay Tate as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 586
WHEREAS, Freda Jenay Tate of Norton, a passionate journalist and trailblazing news executive who served as the longtime editor and publisher of The Coalfield Progress, died on January 15, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Jenay Tate was a graduate of John I. Burton High School and continued her education at the University of Kentucky; she spent most of her career as a newspaper writer and editor in the coalfields region, working at her family’s newspapers, The Post in Big Stone Gap, the Dickenson Star in Clintwood, and primarily and most notably, The Coalfield Progress in Norton; and
WHEREAS, during Jenay Tate’s 40-year tenure with the newspaper, The Coalfield Progress earned countless awards and accolades for writing, design, and photography, and it was consistently selected as one of the top newspapers of its size in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Jenay Tate was highly respected in the newspaper industry and held numerous leadership roles in the Virginia Press Association; she helped plan award conferences and judged countless writing and photography competitions; and
WHEREAS, Jenay Tate was a passionate advocate for her fellow residents of the coalfields region and worked to preserve the history and heritage of the region by writing extensively about the coal industry, including coal camps and the critical importance of coal to the local economy; and
WHEREAS, outside of her career, Jenay Tate helped establish the Best Friend Festival in Norton and served as its chair for many years; she was well known for her artistic talents, passion for gardening, and love of cooking good food; her kindness and generosity were exemplified through the many stray cats she cared for and adopted over the years; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by her parents, Carroll and Robbie, and her brother, Michael, all of whom worked with her in the family newspaper business; Jenay Tate will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her sister, Carol; many beloved nieces and nephews; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Freda Jenay Tate; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Freda Jenay Tate as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.